Palm Desert, CA, June 15, 2017 --(PR.com)-- HomeSmart Professionals of Palm Desert, Calif. one of HomeSmart International’s three corporate-owned brokerages, announced the emergence of a special division within its California operation, HomeSmart Professionals Elite Group.

Selected based on ranking in the top 10 percent for annual performance, transactions, volume and experience, 49 newly-inducted HomeSmart Professionals Elite Group members will be given exclusive access to the use of the highly-regarded HomeSmart Elite Group logos, marketing materials and networking events not available prior to their HomeSmart Elite Group acceptance.

“I wanted to recognize those agents who are the exceptional performers of the team and create a network and educational opportunity that is focused on their needs,” said Rich La Rue, president and designated broker of HomeSmart Professionals.

La Rue took a unique approach to notifying the chosen agents by sending a video congratulating them on their achievements followed by a verbal invitation to the inaugural meeting.

HomeSmart Elite was launched in 2011 by HomeSmart agent Bobby Lieb, HomeSmart’s No. 1-producing agent in units and volume in the nation, after joining the Phoenix brokerage in the same year. Lieb began the HomeSmart Elite Group as a way to distinguish agents with a notable production history and provide them with opportunities to share best practices and resources with like-minded HomeSmart professionals.

“Top-producing real estate agents have a different skill set and have different needs than your average agent,” La Rue noted. “We’ve created meeting topics and programs to cater to these Elite agents.”

HomeSmart International recently expanded the Elite Group program nationwide to provide representation of the corporation’s upper echelon of real estate agents, allowing each nationwide franchise to acknowledge its top-producers with this exclusive recognition.

HomeSmart Professionals is the second franchise to form an Elite Group throughout the 16-state, 13,000-agent HomeSmart International network with expectations that other HomeSmart International franchises will follow suit in recognizing their top agents.

La Rue started the HomeSmart Professionals franchise with 54 agents in 2011 and has over 400 agents to date. The HomeSmart Professionals team sells residential and commercial properties with office locations in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Big Bear Lake, Calif.

About HomeSmart International:Founded in 2000 by entrepreneur Matt Widdows, HomeSmart International quickly became the fastest growing real estate brokerage firm in Arizona. HomeSmart International is ranked in the top 20 real estate brokerages in the United States and the number one brokerage firm in the Phoenix market. From its international franchising headquarters based in Scottsdale, HomeSmart International offers franchisees efficiency and innovation coupled with the systems and technologies necessary to succeed in today’s evolving real estate industry. Today, the brand has over 100 offices in 16 states and more than 13,000 agents nationwide. For more information on HomeSmart International and its franchise opportunities, visit https://HomeSmart.com. Follow HomeSmart International on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HomeSmartFranchise and on Twitter and Instagram @HomeSmartIntl.